Attachment for ventilating shafts or the like

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for covering an open end of a ventilating shaft or the like which includes a collar having a through opening which is attachable to the open end, usually top end, of a ventilating shaft. Two concentrically arranged hood sections, each consisting of two intersecting flat strips of material attached at opposite sides of the collar are provided for covering the free end opening of the collar. The inner hood section is positioned with interspaces between the flat strips which are covered in radial outward directions with respect to an axis of symmetry of the collar by the strips of the outer hood section with a consequent complete closure in a radial direction with respect to said axis from the outside while still retaining large gaps between the concentrically spaced hood sections for accommodating flow through of ventilating gases from the ventilating shaft with a minimum danger of clogging of the hood apparatus, while also obtaining optimum aerodynamic performance of the ventilating hood insofar as maintaining a vacuum for assisting in the ventilation in response to wind flow against the hood apparatus. One of the outer strips forming the outer hood section includes a movable flap member for accommodating opening up of the outer hood section to facilitate cleaning and repair of both of the hood sections.

United States Patent [191 Schrade [451 July 30, 1974 ATTACHMENT FOR VENTILATING SHAFTS OR THE LIKE [76] Inventor: Gerhard Schrade, Kriegerstrasse l4,

Stuttgart 1, Germany [22] Filed: June 8, 1973 [21] Appl. No; 368,302

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 9, 1972 Finland 1654/72 [52] US. Cl. 98/66 [51] Int. Cl. F231 17/02 [58] Field of Search 98/66 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 454,836 6/1891 Barnes 98/66 R 3,523,500 8/1970 Artis 98/78 FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,802,411 7/1970 Germany 98/66 10,29l O/l898 Sweden 98/66 R Primary Examiner-William F. ODea Assistant Examiner-Peter D. Ferguson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Craig & Antonelli 5 7 ABSTRACT An apparatus for covering an open end of a ventilating shaft or the like which includes a collar having a through opening which is attachable to the open end, usually top end, of a ventilating shaft. Two concentrically arranged hood sections, each consisting of two intersecting flat strips of material attached at opposite sides of the collar are provided for covering the free end opening of the collar. The inner hood section is positioned with interspaces between the flat strips which are covered in radial outward directions with respect to an axis of symmetry of the collar by the strips of the outer hood section with a consequent complete closure in a radial direction with respect to said axis from the outside while still retaining large gaps between the concentrically spaced hood sections for accommodating flow through of ventilating gases from the ventilating shaft with a minimum danger of clogging of the hood apparatus, while also obtaining optimum aerodynamic performance of the ventilating hood insofar as maintaining a vacuum for assisting in the ventilation in response to wind flow against the hood apparatus. One of the outer strips forming the outer hood section includes a movable flap member for accommodating opening up of the outer hood section to facilitate cleaning and repair of both of the hood sections.

22 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure ATTACHMENT FOR VENTILATING SHAFTS OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION- This invention relates to an attachment apparatus for ventilating shafts or the like, including a collar attachable to the open end of a ventilating shaft, covered hood-like by sheet-metal strips or the like. The open end of the ventilating shaft is usually an upper end thereof.

Attachment hoods of this type have been contemplated for use with smokestacks which use sheet-metal strips fashioned with a corrugated profile and joined at their apices so that they form a seal and the interspaces existing between the strips are largely covered toward the top, as well as toward the side. This attachment has the disadvantage that the hood can become clogged to a relatively large extent, especially after an extended period of operation; consequently, a flawless draft is no longer ensured. On the other hand, this design impairs the chimney draft more than necessary even without clogging of the hood. Additionally, the manufacturing expenses are relatively high and are economically intolerable also in other contemplated smokestack attachments, especially if these attachments are produced as ceramic parts why a brick construction. Furthermore, the shape of the above mentioned attachments is unusable anyway for ventilating shafts which, for example, consist in case of cargo spaces on ships or the like generally of cylindrical pipes, so that the customary chimney attachments with square attachment piece or with brick construction cannot be used for this purpose with such ventilating shafts in any event.

The present invention is based on the problem of providing an attachment apparatus for ventilating shafts which can be manufactured very inexpensively and which, moreover, is suitable for improving the draft in the ventilating shaft by vacuum formation, without encountering disadvantages with respect to contamination and the concomitant clogging of the attachment. The invention, in attachments of the type mentioned in the foregoing, contemplates constructing a hood with strips such that the strips are arranged in the form of two hood sections lying concentrically within each other and being disposed with the apex of each hood section along the axis of symmetry of the ventilating shaft being covered by the hood. The inner hood section is constituted by at least two identical, crossing strips arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of symmetry or central axis of the ventilating shaft, and the secondouter hood section, which likewise consists of at least two identically formed and disposed strips, covers the inner hood section at a radial spacing so that the strips of the outer hood section are arranged respectively at a radial spacing in front of the interspaces left vacant by the strips of the inner hood section.

Due to the above mentioned arrangement of the hood contemplated by the present invention, the spacings between all strips employed therein are, in each case, so large that there is no longer any danger of contamination and clogging of the interstices. Additionally, a vacuum or subatmospheric pressure is formed at the ventilating shaft attachment on the side facing away from the wind direction, enhancing the draft in the ventilating shaft. The superatmospheric pressure formed on the side facing the wind exists essentially in front of the outer hood section, on the inside of which, 'how ever, a certain subatmospheric pressure has already been formed. Thus, the danger of introducing excess pressure into the ventilating shaft is excluded. Besides, the outer strips also act as wind-deflecting parts with respect to the inner strips, so that it makes no difference from which direction the effect of the wind occurs. Additionally, the manufacture of the ventilating shaft attachment from strips is very simple, for it is sufficient to make the strips of different lengths and fasten them all to the collar.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention results, if at least one strip of the outer hood section is mounted so that it can be folded upwardly, because thereby a large portion of the interior of the outer hood section, as well asthe inner hood section become very well accessible for repair of cleaning purposes, so that any deposited dirt can readily be removed. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, it proved to be advantageous to compose the inner as well as the outer hood sections respectively only of two strips which intersect at a right angle; the width of these strips is chosen so that it corresponds approximately to the interspace between the strips of the other hood section. It was found to be advantageous,.in this connection, to make the outer strips somewhat wider than the inner strips. By means of this configuration, it is possible to achieve maximum effectiveness with a minimum of material and working power. In this preferred embodiment, by means of the foldable strip portion, also the inner hood section is readily completed satisfactorily accessible. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the foldable strip portion is provided with a folding hinge arranged approximately in the apex point of the hood part and with a closure mechanism arranged at the collar of the top, in order to avoid unintentional opening up by wind forces. The strip portions or bands are preferably curved approximately-cylindrically shaped'and may, however, be slightly flattened off within the area of the apex point in the hood. It has been established that this construction with the cylindrical and slightly flattened configuration has particularly good aerodynamic properties.

These and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a single embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The single drawing FIGURE is a perspective side view of an attachment apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It can be seen from the drawing that strips 3 and 4, forming an outer hood section 2, are attached to a cylindrical collar 1. Collar 1 can consist of sheet metal or also of a synthetic resin and is attachable to an open end of a ventilating shaft by way of, for example, cooperating friction surfaces at the interior or exterior of said collar and corresponding surfaces at the ventilation shaft. Other attachment means, not shown, such as a cylindrical clamp and a slotted collar formation, or

disengageable detents such as screws through the collar and ventilation shaft could also be used.

The strips 3 and 4 are curved approximately cylindrically with respect to axes extending perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of collar 1 and are slightly flattened in the zone of the axis of symmetry 5 and the ventilating shaft, i.e., at their apex. This outer hood section 2 encompasses an inner hood section 6, likewise consisting of two strips 7 and 8, which intersect at a right angle, are disposed symmetrically to the axis of symmetry 5, and have their apex in the zone of this axis of symmetry 5. These strips 7 and 8 are also attached to the collar 1, but the mounting point of strips 7 and 8 at the collar is somewhat higher than the mounting points of the outer strips 3 and 4. The inner strips 7 and 8 are also flattened in their apex in the zone of the axis of symmetry 5 and are otherwise curved approximately cylindrically. The width of the inner strips 7 and 8 and the width of the outer strips 3 and 4 are adapted to each other so that the wedge-like interspaces respectively formed between the intersecting strips are covered in the radial direction with respect to said axis 5 by the strips of the other hood section. The hood section 2 and the hood section 6 are disposed concentrically to each other, but at a radial distance, so that thus an attachment results which appears spherical toward the outside, but has sufficient throughflow interspaces.

The outer strip 4 has a foldable or hinged portion 4a, mounted to the remaining portion 4 by means of a folding hinge 9 arranged approximately in the apex. A locking plate or strap 10 is provided at the free end of the strip portion 4a. With the slot 10a, the locking plate can be firmly retained by means of a pin 11 at a perforated fishplate 12 on collar 1.-

The strips 3, 4 and the strips 7, 8 are connected to the collar 1 by attachment means illustrated only schematically, such as by welding, gluing, and the like. The strips 3 and 4, as well as strips 7 and 8, can also be connected to their respective apices by attachment means illustrated only schematically, such as by welding, gluing, and the like.

The arrangement of the present invention described above provides accordingly a ventilating shaft attachment wherein a vacuum is produced at the free end of v the ventilating shaft, no matter from which direction the wind is effective thereon, this vacuum promoting the venting effect. At the same time, the ventilating shaft is protected from entering rain water or snow, without there being, however, the danger of clogging due to contamination, since the interspaces between the strips are sufficiently large. At the same time, there is a possibility to effect a simple repair and cleaning operation, if the strip portion 4a is folded upwardly.

While I have shown and described only one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto but also contemplates numerous changes and modifications as would be known to those skilled in the art given the present disclosure of the invention, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein only schematically but intend to cover all such changes and modifications.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for covering an open end of a ventilating shaft or the like comprising:

collar means having a through opening extending along a collar axis of symmetry,

attaching means for attaching said collar means to an open end of a ventilating shaft with said collar axis of symmetry in alignment with said open end of the ventilating shaft,

an inner hood section formed of a plurality of inner hood strips, each of said inner hood strips having respective oppositely facing flat surfaces, each of said inner hood strips extending across said opening of said collar means with respective flat surfaces thereof facing outwardly and inwardly with respect to said collar axis of symmetry and with central portions of said inner hood strips intersecting corresponding central portions of other of said inner hood strips at an inner hood apex located a distance from said collar means along said collar axis of symmetry, each of said inner hood strips being connected at respective opposite ends thereof to said collar means, said inner hood strips being spaced from one another along at least a part of their length in the circumferential direction with respect to said collar axis of symmetry to form open inner hood interspaces therebetween,

and an outer hood section formed of a plurality of outer hood strips, each of said outer hood strips having respective oppositely facing flat surfaces, each of said outer hood strips extending across said opening of said collar means with respective flat surfaces thereof facing outwardly and inwardly with respect to said collar axis of symmetry and with central portions of said outer hood strips intersecting corresponding central portions of other of said outer hood strips at an outer hood apex located a distance from said collar means along said collar axis of symmetry, each of said outer hood strips being connected at respective opposite ends thereof to said collar means, said outer hood strips being spaced from one another along at least a part of their length in the circumferential direction with respect to said collar axis of symmetry to form open outer hood interspaces therebetween, wherein said outer hood strips are arranged concentrically at a radial spacing from said inner hood strips with respect to said collar axis of symmetry, said outer hood strips being positioned circumferentially so as to be disposed in radial alignment with said inner hood interspaces, wherein at least a portion of at least one of said outer hood strips is hingedly connected at one of said outer hood apex and said collar means and is detachable with respect to the other of said outer hood apex and said collar means for accommodating opening up of said outer hood section along the length thereof in the direction parallel to said collar axis for cleaning and the like of both of said hood sections.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said outer hood strips are sufficiently wide in the circumferential direction to substantially cover said inner hood interspaces in the radial direction with respect to said collar axis of symmetry.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only two inner hood strips constitute said inner hood section, said inner hood strips intersecting at right angles at said inner hood apex.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said two inner hood strips are joined to one another at said inner hood apex.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein only two outer hood strips constitute said outer hood section, said outer hood strips intersecting at right angles at said outer hood apex.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said two outer hood strips are joined to one another at said outer hood apex.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said outer hood strips are wider than said inner hood strips.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said outer hood strips are sufficiently wide in the circumferential direction to substantially cover said inner hood interspaces in the radial direction with respect to said collar axis of symmetry.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each of said hood strips is curved approximately cylindrically with respect to strip cylinder axes extending perpendicular to said collar axis of symmetry.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only two outer hood strips constitute said outer hood section, said outer hood strips intersecting at right angles at said outer hood apex.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said two outer hood strips are joined to one another at said outer hood apex.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of said outer hood strips is hingedly connected at said outer hood apex and is detachably connected at said collar means.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said one of said outer hood strips which is hingedly connected to said outer hood apex is detachably connected at said collar means by way of a locking mechanism.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said locking mechanism includes a pin and aperture slot connection.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said hood strips is curved approximately cylindrically with respect to strip cylinder axes extending perpendicular to said collar axis of symmetry.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said hood strips are flattened slightly with respect to their curved configuration in the area of the respective hood apices.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said outer hood strips are sufficiently wide in the circumferential direction to substantially cover said inner hood interspaces in the radial direction with respect to said collar axis of symmetry.

18. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inner hood apex is spaced along said collar axis of symmetry from an extreme end portion of said collar defining said collar opening.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said outer hood apex is spaced from said inner hood apex on said collar axis of symmetry further from said extreme end portion than is said inner hood apex.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said hood strips is a flat strip of substantially constant radial thickness and constant circumferential width along its length from respective attachment points at said collar means.

21. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said collar means is cylindrical in shape, and wherein said attaching means includes one of inner and outer cylindrical surfaces of said collar means engageable with corresponding cylindrical surfaces on a ventilating shaft.

22. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said hood strips are sheet metal strips and wherein said collar means is constructed of one of synthetic resinous material and sheet metal. 

1. Apparatus for covering an open end of a ventilating shaft or the like comprising: collar means having a through opening extending along a collar axis of symmetry, attaching means for attaching said collar meanS to an open end of a ventilating shaft with said collar axis of symmetry in alignment with said open end of the ventilating shaft, an inner hood section formed of a plurality of inner hood strips, each of said inner hood strips having respective oppositely facing flat surfaces, each of said inner hood strips extending across said opening of said collar means with respective flat surfaces thereof facing outwardly and inwardly with respect to said collar axis of symmetry and with central portions of said inner hood strips intersecting corresponding central portions of other of said inner hood strips at an inner hood apex located a distance from said collar means along said collar axis of symmetry, each of said inner hood strips being connected at respective opposite ends thereof to said collar means, said inner hood strips being spaced from one another along at least a part of their length in the circumferential direction with respect to said collar axis of symmetry to form open inner hood interspaces therebetween, and an outer hood section formed of a plurality of outer hood strips, each of said outer hood strips having respective oppositely facing flat surfaces, each of said outer hood strips extending across said opening of said collar means with respective flat surfaces thereof facing outwardly and inwardly with respect to said collar axis of symmetry and with central portions of said outer hood strips intersecting corresponding central portions of other of said outer hood strips at an outer hood apex located a distance from said collar means along said collar axis of symmetry, each of said outer hood strips being connected at respective opposite ends thereof to said collar means, said outer hood strips being spaced from one another along at least a part of their length in the circumferential direction with respect to said collar axis of symmetry to form open outer hood interspaces therebetween, wherein said outer hood strips are arranged concentrically at a radial spacing from said inner hood strips with respect to said collar axis of symmetry, said outer hood strips being positioned circumferentially so as to be disposed in radial alignment with said inner hood interspaces, wherein at least a portion of at least one of said outer hood strips is hingedly connected at one of said outer hood apex and said collar means and is detachable with respect to the other of said outer hood apex and said collar means for accommodating opening up of said outer hood section along the length thereof in the direction parallel to said collar axis for cleaning and the like of both of said hood sections.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said outer hood strips are sufficiently wide in the circumferential direction to substantially cover said inner hood interspaces in the radial direction with respect to said collar axis of symmetry.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only two inner hood strips constitute said inner hood section, said inner hood strips intersecting at right angles at said inner hood apex.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said two inner hood strips are joined to one another at said inner hood apex.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein only two outer hood strips constitute said outer hood section, said outer hood strips intersecting at right angles at said outer hood apex.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said two outer hood strips are joined to one another at said outer hood apex.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said outer hood strips are wider than said inner hood strips.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said outer hood strips are sufficiently wide in the circumferential direction to substantially cover said inner hood interspaces in the radial direction with respect to said collar axis of symmetry.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each of said hood strips is curved approximately cylindrically with respect to strip cylinder axes extending perpendicular to said collar axis of syMmetry.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only two outer hood strips constitute said outer hood section, said outer hood strips intersecting at right angles at said outer hood apex.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said two outer hood strips are joined to one another at said outer hood apex.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of said outer hood strips is hingedly connected at said outer hood apex and is detachably connected at said collar means.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said one of said outer hood strips which is hingedly connected to said outer hood apex is detachably connected at said collar means by way of a locking mechanism.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said locking mechanism includes a pin and aperture slot connection.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said hood strips is curved approximately cylindrically with respect to strip cylinder axes extending perpendicular to said collar axis of symmetry.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said hood strips are flattened slightly with respect to their curved configuration in the area of the respective hood apices.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said outer hood strips are sufficiently wide in the circumferential direction to substantially cover said inner hood interspaces in the radial direction with respect to said collar axis of symmetry.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inner hood apex is spaced along said collar axis of symmetry from an extreme end portion of said collar defining said collar opening.
 19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said outer hood apex is spaced from said inner hood apex on said collar axis of symmetry further from said extreme end portion than is said inner hood apex.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said hood strips is a flat strip of substantially constant radial thickness and constant circumferential width along its length from respective attachment points at said collar means.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said collar means is cylindrical in shape, and wherein said attaching means includes one of inner and outer cylindrical surfaces of said collar means engageable with corresponding cylindrical surfaces on a ventilating shaft.
 22. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said hood strips are sheet metal strips and wherein said collar means is constructed of one of synthetic resinous material and sheet metal. 